Mike's West End Deli in Long Branch Closing Its Doors Jan. 1

Ocean Avenue deli has been open for 15 years

Mike's West End Deli, a staple of West End, will close its doors on Jan. 1, 2013. The family-owned deli at 618 Ocean Ave. has been open for 15 years and has been serving arguably the best pork roll egg and cheese in the city, but will close due to "financial reasons," according to owner Mike Ioannides. "I accept it, but it has been hard especially with our customers," Ioannides said. Ioannides said many of his employees have been working at the deli since before he took over ownership eight years ago. He said he does not have an immediate plans to start a new business elsewhere but said it is not out of the question for the future. The building that currently houses Mike's West End Deli is part of Chabad of Shore's application to build a …

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One Dead After Boats Collide in Atlantic Near Long Branch

Another injured as result from Atlantic Ocean boating accident

Two recreational boats collided Saturday afternoon in ocean waters near Long Branch, leaving one man dead and another with injuries in the wake of the accident. According to several reports, the man, whose name has not yet been released by the New Jersey State Police, was originally taken to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune for head injuries. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The other passenger was reportedly in shock immediately after the accident. The United States Coast Guard’s 5th District Public Affairs Office stated that an 18 foot-long pleasure craft and a 36 foot-long pleasure craft named “No Surrender” were involved in an accident at about 1:15 p.m. today, colliding in the Atlantic Ocean about a mile and a half …

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Shoreview

What Keeps Me Writing (The Beach, And A Book)

Long Branch, and a new book, remind me of what shaped my career

I once dreamed of being a war journalist, a guy who dodged bombs in Beirut, barely avoiding capture. Or I could have been a Washington D.C. guy, shouting questions over the tired press corps, showing them how much better - or louder - I was than the rest of them. I got a taste of all that, traveling with an Air Force unit during the Afghanistan war in 2001; and, earlier, being among the first to reveal the twisted, molten remains of the World Trade Center that were temporarily stored at a Staten Island landfill, just a month after 9-11. In the end, however, what really mattered to me was what was here, just a half-hour from my house, just a half-hour north from where I was born. I see Long Branch, and I remember why I came home. I remember…

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Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene Slams the Shore; 49,000 Without Power

Downed branches, trees; power lost across the region

The onslaught of Hurricane Irene has begun across the Jersey Shore. A days worth of intermittent rain erupted into massive ocean swells, torrential showers and heavy sustained and gusting winds by Saturday evening and, forecasters say, the worst is still to come. By 2:30 a.m., widespread power outages were being reported up and down the coast. According to Jersey Central Power & Light, major outages were reported in Monmouth County with more than 49,000 customers reporting a loss of electricity. In Wall, Jersey Central Power & Light reports that about 2,800 people are without power, according to its outage map. Howell appears to be among the hardest hit, with more than 5,800 in the dark. Wall Township Police in a 2 a.m. statement said …

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Shark Sighting Clears Water Off Long Branch Beach

Swimmers evacuated from water at Pier Village

Swimmers were evacuated from the ocean near Pier Village in Long Branch just after 1 p.m. when a shark was seen swimming in shallow water. Long Branch Beach Manager Danny George said a 4-foot brown shark was spotted in the water at 1:15 p.m. and swimmers were immediately evacuated. Swimmers were allowed back in the water around 2 p.m. George said. Brown sharks, also known as sandbar sharks, are not generally known as dangerous or to attack people, George said. It was the second time bathers were evacuated Friday. Around 12:30 p.m., several stingrays were seen in the same area and people were asked to leave the water for about 30 minutes, George said. No swimmers were injured during either evacuation, George said.

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Township Teen Among 40 Arrested In Drug, Gun Ring

Three-day sweep of arrests follows a months long investigation

A Township teen was among more than 40 arrested this week in connection with a heroin and gun sales ring based out of a Long Branch restaurant, authorities said Thursday. Ryan Fitch, 18, was arrested on Aug. 3 during a three-day sweep of arrests. Fitch is alleged to be a mid-level dealer in the larger distribution network, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. Fitch, a 2011 graduate of Wall High School, is charged with second degree racketeering conspiracy. The charge carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years. He was taken to the Monmouth County Jail, Freehold Township, in lieu of $250,000 cash bail. For more on the arrests, please click here.

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Township Man Shot In Long Branch Identified

Wall man among three shot while on a porch earlier this month

The Wall Township man who was one of three shot in Long Branch earlier this month was identified by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Tuesday. Darnel Martin, 21, of Wall, was shot through both legs while on a porch on Westwood Avenue after 2 a.m. July 16, First Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said. Long Branch brothers Paul Anderson, 19, and Darien Anderson, 18, also suffered injuries in the shooting, Gramiccioni said. No arrests have been made. Paul Anderson was hit by two bullets, including one that grazed the right portion of his chest and his right thigh. Darien Anderson was struck by one bullet that grazed his left leg, Gramiccioni said. "We don't have any information that would lead us to believe …

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